RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES 

NIH GUIDE, Vol. 21, No. 3, Part I of II, January 24, 1992

 

P.T. 34, 44, FF



Keywords:

  Biomedical Research Training 

  Biomedical Research, Multidiscipl 

 

National Institutes of Health

 

BACKGROUND

 

During 1987 and 1988, the Director of the National Institutes of

Health (NIH) and the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) held a

series of regional meetings throughout the United States.  At these

meetings, testimony was presented by concerned individuals and

organizations regarding the underrepresentation of minorities in

biomedical and behavioral research.  Although the NIH currently

provides opportunities for minorities through the traditional

research grant programs and through special initiatives supported by

various components of the NIH (see APPENDIX for listing), the

testimony indicated that efforts of the NIH should be increased.  In

addition, the NIH recognizes the need to increase the number of

underrepresented minority scientists participating in biomedical and

behavioral research as a means of addressing a potential research

labor shortage in the twenty-first century.

 

In response to these concerns, the NIH is emphasizing the use of

administrative supplements to attract minorities into biomedical and

behavioral research.  The mechanisms described in this announcement

have been endorsed by all the awarding components of the NIH and are

designed to provide support for research experiences at grantee

institutions for minorities throughout the continuum from the high

school to the faculty level.  The funding of these programs will be

in addition to existing programs for minority individuals and

institutions described in the APPENDIX.

 

The NIH hereby notifies all Principal Investigators holding NIH

research grants that funds are available for administrative

supplements to existing grants for the support and recruitment of

underrepresented minority scientists and students.  The aim of these

supplements is to attract and encourage minority individuals to enter

and pursue biomedical and behavioral research careers in areas within

the missions of all the awarding components of the NIH by providing

supplemental funds to certain ongoing research grants (see the

Eligibility section under GENERAL PROVISIONS).

 

For the purpose of these announcements, underrepresented minority

students and investigators are defined as individuals belonging to a

particular ethnic or racial group that has been determined by the

grantee institution to be underrepresented in biomedical or

behavioral research.  Awards will be limited to citizens and

non-citizen nationals of the United States and to individuals who

have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., in

possession of an Alien Registration Receipt Card) at the time of

application.  In awarding supplements, the NIH will give priority to

projects involving Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific

Islander and other ethnic or racial group members who have been found

to underrepresented in biomedical or behavioral research nationally.

 

The NIH anticipates that by providing scientific opportunities, such

as those listed below, the number of minorities entering and

remaining in biomedical research careers will increase.

 

o  Research Supplements for Minority High School Students will

support minority high school students who have expressed an interest

in biomedical or behavioral sciences.

 

o  Research Supplements for Minority Undergraduate Students will

support minority undergraduate students who have demonstrated an

interest in biomedical or behavioral sciences and wish to continue on

to graduate level training in these areas.

 

o  Research Supplements for Minority Graduate Research Assistants

will provide support to assist minority predoctoral students who wish

to develop research capabilities in the biomedical and behavioral

sciences.

 

o  Research Supplements for Minority Individuals in Postdoctoral

Training will provide support for minority individuals to participate

as postdoctoral researchers in ongoing research projects in

preparation for independent careers in biomedical or behavioral

research.

 

o  Research Supplements for Minority Investigators will provide

short- and long-term opportunities for minority staff and faculty to

participate in ongoing research projects while further developing

their own independent research potential.

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

In all cases, the proposed research experience must be an integral

part of the approved ongoing research of the parent grant.  As part

of this research experience, the minority individual must be given

the opportunity to interact with individuals on the parent grant, to

contribute intellectually to the research, and to enhance his/her

research skills and knowledge regarding the particular area of

biomedical science.  Furthermore, the Principal Investigator must

demonstrate a willingness and understanding that the purpose of the

award is to enhance the research capability of the minority student

or faculty member, and that the research experience is intended to

provide opportunities for minority individuals to develop as

independent, competitive research investigators.  Supplemental awards

will be consistent with the goal of strengthening the existing

research program and with the overall programmatic balance and

priorities of the funding component of the NIH.  Awards will be made

according to the policies and provisions stated in this announcement.

 

 

Applicants are encouraged to contact the NIH institute staff

identified in the INQUIRIES section prior to submission to obtain

specific information about application characteristics and submission

requirements.  It is also recognized that individual circumstances

vary, and for unusual situations, NIH program administrators should

be consulted for a determination of eligibility.

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

Principal Investigators at domestic institutions who hold an active

Research Centers in Minority Institutions Award (G12), Research

Project (R01), Cooperative Clinical Research (R10), Research

Demonstration and Dissemination Projects (R18), U.S. - Japan

Cooperative Medical Science Program (R22), Resource-Related Research

Projects (R24), Outstanding Investigator Grants (R35), Method to

Extend Research in Time (MERIT) (R37), Research Program Projects

(P01), Exploratory Grants (P20), Center Core Grants (P30), Animal

(Mammalian and Non-mammalian) Model, and Animal and Biological

Materials Resource Grants (P40), Biotechnology Resource Grant Program

(P41), Specialized Center (P50), Comprehensive Center (P60),

Cooperative Agreement (U01) grant are eligible to submit a request

for an administrative supplement to the awarding component of the

parent grant for any of the supplemental programs offered here.

Principal Investigators holding an active First Independent Research

Support and Transition (FIRST) Award (R29) also may apply for a

supplement under this program, but only when the  minority candidate

is a high school, undergraduate, or graduate student.  Minority

supplements to R29 awards may provide support above the established

dollar limits on these awards.

 

In all cases, the parent grant must have support remaining for a

reasonable period at the time of a supplemental award.  Principal

Investigators are encouraged to submit an application no later than

three months before the anniversary date of the last two years

remaining on the parent grant.

 

The purpose of the request will be to support an underrepresented

minority high school student, undergraduate student, graduate

research assistant, individual in postdoctoral training, or a staff

or faculty member to participate in an ongoing research project.

Specific eligibility requirements relative to each type of award are

set forth in the description of the individual supplement programs

(below).

 

Usually, each parent grant would support only one minority

supplement.  Appointment of more than one individual to a single

grant will be considered depending on the nature of the parent grant,

the circumstances of the request, and the program balance of the

awarding NIH component.  Minority individuals may receive support

from only one of these supplement programs at a time, but may be

supported by more than one minority supplement during the development

of their research careers.  Opportunities for support under the

supplement programs are not transferable to another individual.

 

The minority supplement programs have been designed to attract

underrepresented minority individuals into research careers and are

not intended to provide an alternative means of supporting minority

individuals who already receive support from a research grant or

other PHS funding mechanism.  If the Principal Investigator wishes to

transfer a minority individual to supplemental support from an

existing PHS supported position, the reason for the transfer must be

clearly documented along with efforts to fill the vacated position

with another minority individual.  Individuals may not be transferred

to a minority supplement simply to increase the availability of funds

of the parent grant for other uses such as supplies and travel.

Minority graduate students or individuals in postdoctoral training

who are supported by a National Research Service Award (NRSA)

Institutional research training grant may not be transferred to

supplemental support prior to the completion of their appointed

period of training.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

 

A request for a supplement may be submitted at any time.  IN MAKING

REQUESTS, THE GRANTEE INSTITUTION, ON BEHALF OF THE PRINCIPAL

INVESTIGATOR OF THE PARENT GRANT AND IN COOPERATION WITH THE MINORITY

INDIVIDUAL, MUST SUBMIT THE REQUEST FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS DIRECTLY

TO THE AWARDING COMPONENT THAT SUPPORTS THE PARENT GRANT.  The

request is NOT to be submitted to the NIH Division of Research

Grants.  Principal Investigators are encouraged to obtain the address

for submission from the NIH program administrator on the parent

grant.

 

The request for a supplemental award must include the following:

 

o  a completed face page (with appropriate signatures) from grant

application form PHS 398.  Include the title and grant number of the

parent grant and the type of supplement being requested on line 1;

 

o  a brief three to four page description, prepared by the Principal

Investigator of the parent grant, that includes:

 

(a) a summary or abstract of the funded grant or project,

 

(b) a description of the research experience proposed for the

minority individual,

 

(c) how the experience will expand and foster the independent

research capabilities of the minority individual, and

 

(d) how the proposed experience relates to the specific research

goals and objectives of the parent grant;

 

o  a signed statement from the minority individual outlining his/her

research objectives and career goals;

 

o  the social security number and biographical sketch of the minority

individual that includes evidence of scientific achievement or

interest;

 

o  a signed statement from the Principal Investigator establishing

the eligibility of the minority individual for support under this

program including information on ethnicity, citizenship, and a

description of any previous PHS research grant support the minority

individual has received;

 

o  a proposed budget entered on budget pages from grant application

form PHS 398, related to the percent effort (where appropriate) for

the research experience of the minority individual during the first

and future years.  If the initial budget period requested is less

than 12 months, the budget must be prorated accordingly;

 

o  documentation, if applicable, that the proposed research

experience was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use

Committee (IACUC) or human subjects Institutional Review Board (IRB)

of the grantee institution;

 

o  a copy of the most recent official transcript if the minority

candidate is a high school, undergraduate or graduate student;

 

o  if the minority individual is a student at another institution,

the application also must include an appropriately signed letter from

a responsible official at the institution of matriculation indicating

that participation at the stated level of effort is approved and will

not detract from or interfere with his/her course of studies;

 

o  if any of the research is to be conducted at a site other than the

grantee institution, an appropriately signed letter from the

institution where the research is to be conducted must also be

submitted.

 

The request must be signed by the minority individual, the Principal

Investigator, and the appropriate institutional business official.

 

REVIEW CRITERIA

 

The staff of the particular awarding component will review requests

for supplements using the following general criteria:

 

o  the qualifications of the minority individual including career

goals, prior research training, research potential, and any relevant

experience;

 

o  the plan for the proposed research experience in the supplemental

request and its relationship to the parent grant;

 

o  evidence from the Principal Investigator that the experience will

enhance the research potential, knowledge, and/or skills of the

minority individual;

 

o  evidence from the Principal Investigator that the activities of

the minority individual are an integral part of the project.

 

o  evidence of educational achievement and interest in science if the

minority candidate is a student.

 

FUNDING

 

The decision to fund a supplement will take six to eight weeks from

the time all the necessary information is received.  Applicants for

summer-only research appointments must submit early enough to ensure

that funding is in place by the time the summer experience is

scheduled to begin.  In most cases during the first budget period,

funds will be provided as an administrative supplement to the parent

grant.  In subsequent years, continued funding for the supplement is

contingent on funding of the parent grant and cannot extend beyond

the current competitive segment of the parent grant.

 

The continuation of support for the minority individual in the

remaining years of the competitive segment of the grant will depend

upon satisfactory review by the NIH awarding component of progress

for both the parent grant and the supplemental project, the research

proposed for the next budget period, and the appropriateness of the

proposed budget to the proposed effort.

 

In non-competing continuation applications, the progress report for

the minority supplement must be clearly delineated from the progress

report for the parent grant. The progress report in both

non-competing and competing applications must include information

about the research activities supported by the supplement even if

support for future years is not requested. In future competing

applications, funds for continuation of support for the minority

individual must be requested in the parent grant application and may

not be requested as a research supplement for that individual.

 

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH SUPPLEMENT PROGRAMS

 

1.  RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENTS

 

DESCRIPTION

 

The purpose of this program is to provide minority high school

students with an opportunity to attain a meaningful experience in

various aspects of health-related research to stimulate their

interest in careers in biomedical or behavioral science.  Principal

Investigators may identify appropriate high school students through

the local program director for the Minority High School Student

Research Apprentice Program (MHSSRAP).  (See Appendix for a

description of MHSSRAP.)  The Principal Investigator should

coordinate the selection of minority high school students and the

research experience planned under the supplement with the program

director of the MHSSRAP grant.  Alternatively, if the Principal

Investigator is not located at an institution that administers a

MHSSRAP program, the grantee institution, in conjunction with local

high schools, may attempt to pair high school students with funded

Principal Investigators.  Information about funded MHSSRAP programs

near the Principal Investigator's institution may be obtained from

the National Center for Research Resources.  (See the INQUIRIES

section at the end of this announcement.)

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

Any minority high school student who is currently enrolled in good

standing at his/her high school and interested in biomedical or

behavioral research is encouraged to participate in this program.

 

PROVISIONS

 

This supplement may not exceed $2,000 per student, including

supplies, for a summer experience.  A part-time experience during the

regular school year would be reimbursed at the same rate.  This is

the same level of support provided under the MHSSRAP program.

Equipment may not be purchased using these funds.  Students are

expected to devote sufficient effort to the research project and

related activities during the period of support to gain insight into

the process of scientific discovery.  Support should be for a minimum

of three months during any one year, which may include a mixture of

full-time summer experience and part-time experience during the

school year.  Principal Investigators are encouraged to seek minority

high school students who will devote at least two years to this

program (i.e., equivalent to two three-month, full-time, periods).

Exceptions to the latter will be considered, depending on the

circumstances of the applicant, the parent grant, and the specific

request.

 

See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section for information about application

procedures, review criteria, and funding.

 

2.  RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY UNDERGRADUATE

STUDENTS

 

DESCRIPTION

 

This supplemental program provides an opportunity for any minority

undergraduate student interested in biomedical or behavioral research

to participate in a research project at a research institution during

the summer months or during the school year.  This experience will be

separate from any requirement of the regular academic program.

 

The success of this program is dependent on the ability of the

Principal Investigator to identify appropriate students.  A number of

procedures may be used to match investigators holding research grants

to appropriate minority college students:

 

o  the Principal Investigator may identify a student and initiate the

request for the supplement;

 

o  the institution may make the pairing and request the supplement;

 

o  the student may contact a grantee institution or the Principal

Investigator and request a summer research experience;

 

o  finally, the NIH can provide lists of participants in NIH programs

that provide support for minority undergraduate students (such as the

Minority Access to Research Careers and the Minority Biomedical

Research Support Program) to help the Principal Investigator identify

suitable candidates.

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

The student may be affiliated with either the applicant institution

or any other academic institution.  Any undergraduate minority

student interested in biomedical or behavioral research is encouraged

to participate in this program.

 

PROVISIONS

 

This supplement is not to exceed $6.00 per hour for salary plus $125

per month for supplies and travel.  Equipment may not be purchased

from these funds.  Students are expected to devote an equivalent of

at least three months full-time effort to the research project and

related activities in any one year and in most cases the period of

support for any individual should last at least two years.

Exceptions to these requirements will be considered, depending on the

circumstances of the applicant, the parent grant, and the specific

request.

 

See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section (above) for information about

application procedures, review criteria, and funding.

 

3.  RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY GRADUATE

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

 

DESCRIPTION

 

The objective of this program is to offer additional encouragement to

minority graduate students already in biomedical and behavioral

sciences and provide an opportunity to develop their research

capabilities further.

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

Any minority graduate student who is enrolled in a masters or a

doctoral degree program in one of the biomedical or behavioral

sciences is eligible for consideration.  Students enrolled in a

masters degree program in nursing sciences are also eligible.

 

PROVISIONS

 

The NIH will provide salary support in addition to other necessary

expenses, such as supplies and travel, to enable the individual to

participate as a graduate research assistant in funded research

projects.  The requested salary must be in accordance with the salary

structure of the grantee institution and consistent with the level of

effort.  Funds may not be used to purchase equipment.

 

See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section (above) for information about

application procedures, review criteria, and funding.

 

4.  RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY INDIVIDUALS IN

POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING

 

DESCRIPTION

 

These supplements provide support for minority individuals in the

postdoctoral phase of training to participate in ongoing research

projects to assist the development into an independent biomedical or

behavioral researcher.

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

The minority individual in postdoctoral training may be affiliated

with either the applicant institution or any other institution.  Only

under extraordinary circumstances, that must be well justified in the

application, would it be acceptable for the postdoctoral candidate to

work with his/her former predoctoral mentor.

 

PROVISIONS

 

The NIH will provide support for a salary in addition to other

necessary expenses, such as travel and supplies, to enable the

minority individual to participate as a postdoctoral research

assistant or associate on the funded research project.  The requested

salary must be in accordance with the salary structure of the grantee

institution and consistent with the level of effort.  Support may not

be used to purchase equipment.

 

See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section (above) for application

procedures, review criteria, and funding.

 

5.  RESEARCH SUPPLEMENTS FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY INVESTIGATORS

 

DESCRIPTION

 

These supplements provide either short- or long-term research support

for minority staff or faculty members to enhance their research

skills leading to an independent research career.

 

Short-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement.  This

supplement provides short-term support for minority staff or faculty

members to conduct full-time research for three to five months each

year during the summer or another portion of the academic year, over

a maximum period of four years.

 

Long-term Minority Investigator Research Supplement.  This supplement

provides long-term research support for minority staff or faculty

members to conduct research in the biomedical or behavioral sciences.

Support is provided for up to 4 years at a minimum of 30 percent

effort during each 12-month period.

 

ELIGIBILITY

 

The minority investigator may be affiliated with the applicant

institution or any other institution.  The investigator must have a

doctoral degree, be beyond the level of a research trainee and be a

member of the staff or faculty with at least one year of postdoctoral

experience.  A minority individual who has previously received

support from the Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS),

Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC), small grants (R03), or

Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) programs is eligible for

these supplements.  On the other hand, an individual who has received

previous funding from NIH as an independent Principal Investigator on

an individual research grant (e.g., R01, R29), or as the project

leader on a component of a program project or center grant (e.g.,

P01, P50), or as a Principal Investigator on an individual research

career award (e.g., K04, K08, K11) is NOT eligible.

 

PROVISIONS

 

The minority investigator supplemental award is for a maximum of

$50,000 in direct costs per year.  A maximum of $40,000 may be

requested for salary and fringe benefits; additional funds up to

$10,000 may be requested for supplies and travel.  Equipment may not

be purchased except in unusual circumstances and not without prior

approval of the NIH awarding component.  The maximum period of

support for any investigator is four years.

 

The amount of salary requested must be consistent with the policies

of the parent grantee institution (and, if applicable, the minority

investigator's employing institution) and must be related to the

percent effort of the minority investigator.

 

See the GENERAL PROVISIONS section (above) for application

procedures, review criteria, and funding.

 

INQUIRIES

 

Principal Investigators interested in participating in these programs

are encouraged to contact NIH staff administering the parent grant.

For general information about the Research Supplements for

Underrepresented Minorities, contact the following staff person in

the appropriate awarding component:

 

National Institute on Aging

Deputy Associate Director, Office of Extramural Affairs

Building 31, Room 5C02

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-9322

 

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Assistant Director, Division of Extramural Activities

Westwood Building, Room 705

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 402-0159

 

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Director, Extramural Program

Building 31, Room 4C32

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-0802

 

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Special Assistant to the Deputy Director

Building 31, Room 2A03

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-0104

 

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Director, Division of Extramural Activities

6120 Executive Blvd., EPS-400B

Rockville, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-8693

 

National Institute of Dental Research

Director, Extramural Program

Westwood Building, Room 503

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-7723

 

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Assistant Director for Grants and Contracts

Division of Extramural Activities

Westwood Building, Room 657

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-7793

 

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Director, Division of Extramural Research and Training

Building 3, Room 301A

P.O. Box 12233

Research Triangle Park, ND  27709

Telephone:  (919) 541-7723

 

National Institute of General Medical Sciences

 

o  For general information contact:

 

Assistant Director, Referral and Liaison

Westwood Building, Room 925

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 402-0593

 

o  For information on procedures for initiating an application for a

supplement, contact the program administrator or:

 

Deputy Associate Director, Office of Program Activities

Westwood Building, Room 938

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-7063

 

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Deputy Director, Division of Extramural Activities

Federal Building, Room 1016

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-4188

 

National Cancer Institute

Director, Division of Extramural Activities,

Building 31, Room 10A03

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-5147

 

National Eye Institute

Research Training and Resources Officer

Building 31, Room 6A49

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-5983

 

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Director, Division of Extramural Affairs

Westwood Building, Room 7A17B

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-7416

 

National Center for Nursing Research

Director, Extramural Programs

Building 31, Room 5B03

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-0523

 

National Library of Medicine

Acting Associate Director, Division of Extramural Programs

Building 38A, 5N505

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-4621

 

National Center for Research Resources

Acting Deputy Director for Extramural Research Resources

Building 12A, Room 4011

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-6023

 

National Center for Human Genome Research

Chief Research Grants Branch

Building 38A, Room 612

Bethesda, MD  20892

Telephone:  (301) 496-7531

 

APPENDIX

 

ADDITIONAL NIH SUPPORT FOR MINORITY INVESTIGATORS

 

In addition to the Research Supplements for Underrepresented

Minorities in Biomedical Research, the NIH supports minority

investigators through a variety of other mechanisms.  Below is a list

of these programs.  For additional information about individual

programs, contact the appropriate NIH staff person listed above.

 

Research Related Grant Programs

 

The Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Program provides

research grants to colleges, universities, health professional

schools with substantial minority enrollments, and tribally

controlled institutions on Indian reservations.  These grants support

research by faculty members, strengthen the institution's biomedical

research capabilities, and provide opportunities for students to work

as part of a research team.  The MBRS Program is administered by the

National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

 

The MBRS Program provides support through two major grant mechanisms.

The Traditional MBRS Program primarily supports faculty research

projects but also places emphasis on promoting the involvement of

undergraduate and graduate students.  The MBRS Program for

Undergraduate Colleges supports enrichment activities, pilot research

projects, and regular research projects at undergraduate

institutions.  Enrichment activities, which are a required component

of this type of grant, include workshops, attendance at scientific

meetings, and summer research experiences for faculty and students at

off-campus laboratories.

 

The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program provides

grant support to predominantly minority institutions that offer the

doctoral degree in the health sciences.  RCMI funds are used to hire

additional research faculty in the biomedical and behavioral

sciences, support training in specialized analytical methods, upgrade

facilities, and purchase advanced scientific instrumentation.  This

program is administered by the National Center for Research

Resources.

 

The National Cancer Institute Cancer Education Programs supports

networks consisting of Black churches and historically Black colleges

and universities as part of its overall program.  This initiative is

targeted toward traditionally underserved populations that are at

high risk for certain malignancies.

 

The Minority Travel Award Program of the National Institute of

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the National

Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases provides

travel funds for minority students and faculty members from minority

institutions for attendance at national scientific meetings.

 

The Resource Grant Program supports the development of health science

libraries at minority institutions.  In addition, minority

institutions benefit from the Regional Medical Library Program that

provides services and conducts activities relative to the retrieval

and utilization of health information.  These programs are supported

by the National Library of Medicine.

 

Career Development Programs

 

The Junior Research Investigator Enhancement Award supports minority

scientists from member institutions of the Association of Minority

Health Professional Schools who are pursuing or plan to pursue

careers in research related to heart, lung or blood diseases.  This

program is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood

Institute.

 

The Minority Clinical Associate Physicians (MCAP) Program provides up

to three years of support to minority physicians and dentists to

promote career development as independent clinical investigators,

under the direction of senior clinical scientists who act as

sponsors.  A request for MCAP support is made through a supplemental

grant application from a funded General Clinical Research Center of

the National Center for Research Resources.

 

The Minority Investigator Research Enhancement Award is administered

by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin

Diseases (NIAMS) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive

and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and provides support to faculty members

from minority institutions for collaboration with Principal

Investigators on currently funded NIAMS or NIDDK research grants.

 

The Minority Satellite Supplement supports minority clinical faculty

to contribute to the research effort of the National Cancer Institute

clinical trials research groups.

 

The Minority School Faculty Development Award supports faculty

investigators at minority schools in areas relevant to

cardiovascular, pulmonary, and blood disease research.  This program

is supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

 

Research Training and Fellowship Programs

 

The Intramural Summer Student Employment Program supports high

school, undergraduate, and graduate students, and college faculty

members to conduct research in the biomedical sciences at the NIH.

This program is supported by the NIAMS.

 

The Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program awards

research training grants and fellowships (see next four items) that

help increase the number and capabilities of minority biomedical

research scientists and strengthen science curricula and research

opportunities at institutions with substantial minority enrollments.

These programs are administered by the National Institute of General

Medical Sciences.

 

o  The MARC Honors Undergraduate Research Training Grant assists

minority institutions to develop strong undergraduate science

curricula, stimulate an interest in biomedical research among

undergraduate students, and increase the number of well-prepared

minority students who can compete successfully for entry into

graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. degree in the biomedical

sciences.  Under this program, minority institutions receive support

to provide honors students with science courses, research training,

and summer research experience outside the home institution.

 

o  The MARC Predoctoral Fellowship provides a further incentive to

graduates of the MARC Honors Undergraduate Program to obtain research

training in the Nation's very best graduate programs.

 

o  The MARC Faculty Fellowship offers an opportunity for advanced

biomedical research training to selected full-time faculty members of

minority institutions.  This training may lead to a Ph.D. degree or

may involve postdoctoral research, and may be pursued at any non-

profit, public, or private institution in the United States with

suitable facilities.  When the training period is over, fellows are

expected to return to the sponsoring schools to teach and conduct

research.

 

o  The MARC Visiting Scientist Program provides support for periods

of 3 to 12 months to outstanding scientist-teachers who serve as

visiting scientists at eligible minority institutions.

 

The Minority High School Student Research Apprentice Program

(MHSSRAP) provides minority high school students with an opportunity

for meaningful experience in various aspects of health-related

research to stimulate their interest in careers in science.  Eligible

institutions include over 730 institutions that were awarded either

Biomedical Research Support (BRS) or MBRS grants in the last Federal

fiscal year.  In FY 1990, over 50 percent of the eligible

institutions participated in the MHSSRAP program.  The National

Center for Research Resources plans to increase the number of

eligible institutions in the program in FY 1991 in order to

accommodate more high school students in the program.

 

The Minority Institutional Research Training Program supports

full-time research training for investigative careers at minority

schools in areas related to cardiovascular, pulmonary, and

hematologic diseases.  This program is supported by the National

Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

 

The goal of the Minority Supplement Program for Research Training

Grants, administered by the NIDDK, is to facilitate the recruitment

of underrepresented minority graduate students into existing research

training grants.  The National Institute on Aging and the National

Center for Nursing Research have similar programs that support

minority postdoctorates and minority graduate students on existing

research training grants.

 

The NIH National Research Service Award (NRSA) Programs train pre-

and post-doctoral students in all areas of biomedical research.  A

special initiative requires that each new or renewal application

include a plan to recruit individuals from underrepresented minority

groups.

 

The NIH Visiting Professors Program encourages NIH intramural

scientists to visit historically black colleges and universities

(HBCUs) for a period from a week to several months to collaborate

with HBCU faculty and stimulate their students to seek research

careers.  This program is supported by the National Institute of

Child Health and Human Development.

 

The Predoctoral Fellowship Awards for Minority Students provides NRSA

Individual Fellowship support for minority graduate students from all

institutions to pursue careers in biomedical research.  Information

may be obtained from the National Institute of General Medical

Sciences.

 

The Science Enrichment Program is a six-week residential program for

underrepresented minorities and underserved youth that is designed to

encourage 10th graders to pursue professional research careers in the

fields of science and/or mathematics.  This program is administered

by the National Cancer Institute.

 

A Short-term (summer) Training Program supports minority dental

students to conduct research in the dental sciences.  This program is

supported by the National Institute of Dental Research.

 

The Short-term Training for Minority Students Program supports

short-term (i.e., two to three months) research experiences related

to cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic diseases.  The

opportunities are available for minority undergraduate students,

minority students in health professional schools, and minority

graduate students.  This program is offered by the National Heart,

Lung, and Blood Institute.

 

The Summer Research Training Program for Undergraduate Minority

Students is a 10-week research experience for undergraduate students

who have completed the junior year and who have career goals in the

health sciences.  The program is supported by the National Institute

of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

 

Other Fellowship Programs

 

The NIH Extramural Associates Program sponsors individuals from

minority institutions to come to the NIH to learn first-hand about

the NIH programs, peer review, and grant administration.  Scientist

administrators from eligible institutions, including HBCUs,

participate in this program.  Support is arranged through an

Intergovernmental Personnel Act agreement.  Since the program's

inception in 1978, more than 50 HBCUs have participated in the

Extramural Associates Program.

 

.

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	Office of Extramural Research (OER)			National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892			Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)